2020 Pro XS fourstroke stuck in gear

Soooooo, just got a call from gent I'm buying a 2020 Caracal from with above motor. His last tournament out of this boat today, never had an issue before, I was planning on driving down tomorrow to pick it up and it breaks down on the water. He calls me while being towed in. Motor stuck in gear. Try to start, prop is turning. Called his dealer (Mare) and they believe it might be an actuator. Guessing they've run into this before which means probably many have. Motor under warranty of course but I'm trying to gauge how difficult of a repair this is and how long it will take to fix. Season opens on Champlain next Saturday and was hoping to be out there. Anyone else run into this with new Merc? Anyone know if parts are readily available (which is my biggest concern with the way things are theses days). Unrelated question and maybe dumb, but I am assuming newer BCB trailers still require a 2" ball and not something larger. If not, let me know so I can buy a bigger ball. Owner is telling me when trailer level, hitch is about 20" from pavement. Had to use a 5" drop for my 07 Classic, sounds like I won't need that much for the Caracal. Tow vehicle 2019 GMC Sierra SLT 20" tires. Was SO looking forward to picking this up Monday morning and bringing it home...... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oF4ekXnbqRh50zaGfYXLVMB-d6O1sJcOz-bpv6N_Cudmi9sk-GYRdbCH8_0bsJbuaPiBFFaGHCYQbbNv7yzZjBiPuudQlJLC4ROPuPJBW5JNmidGh-CimgNTszL35G_fCevNovYPan5qOH_zbMUPmngoQFFUqfSngXE2mV1TVqNutAFqwN3WOdF4jM_ZsSAfrmckzggbdnQ5lZa_6WZxwngzS6qVcbDJ29ZwusJ5gPIhVp8pG_6C0SEfuKdkgQZgZQno8e16842eQA4jYUrAwbHZY6eRY4q-3EPHkVGRtLUCZAaX6fGlHutQNk-KPuktlqnXtgOObune64_gzuO-zFK5xew80E2nuGjCO4kBTYVFhZKTfqVQ0gSM_X01zI1Leill4FriDgKlC_gKdiXR3rWLvcyMnsDVyFBmiAwMENY2PEyt-S8ZYWut1wS8oipYe2NfNH1YBb7p7sMEFXyZuP8GT8gs1LLbHtZgIvNt15ictyjzRjmvL8eTZnSIkXBUBwZctBnE-J2dJdHVwUU7qw0O6whbKIOLHqTtD1mXQ2HUs6llvAF5lyc-ac6ERQtAT5nIPTeXnVwHVReXbxlW1IUVoYMOeedA3bfqeFt2eWrp66JdCj7Lb9MyoV-ofOUC5JYIijk_t5IiA-B-2pWQb1meeXx-fa4X_kw64cX4qL5S1HgI6cCfaYdcQhlgu13cwwUIbVOyhCWYYcqITr81yik=w959-h719-no?authuser=0

This topic has 16 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 10 months ago by surfrat57.

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June 6, 2021 at 2:08 pm #698915

JEH in La
Participant

Boy that is tough luck Shodackbassman. Only thing I can confirm is “yes you need a 2″ ball for your Caracal”. I also have a 2020 ProXS 4 stroke that has been flawless since purchase. I follow the 4-stroke forum on BBC and it seems like this issue has come up before but doesn’t sound like it is a frequent happening though. I hope you pick it up soon as you will love that motor.

June 6, 2021 at 7:30 pm #698917

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

It’s a simple fix if the parts are available.

June 8, 2021 at 6:37 am #698952

Matt Hayes
Participant

The release of the new 4s there were quite a few shift actuator failures. Then a recall on them was released mostly on the first year of release. I have since seen some actuator issues here and there. As bcb said, its easy to fix, if you can find the parts! And Congrats again on the new boat Brian!

June 8, 2021 at 8:20 am #698953

schodackbassman
Participant

Well sellers dealer Mare down in Fredericksburg Va verified problem is Actuator. But can’t get part for a month! Checked with my dealer CR Marine and same deal. Anyone got any idea where we can track one down? I sold my Classic and I’m boat less. Our season in the Northeast is short. Bass season opens Saturday. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. Someone finds me one and I’ll send you a pack of Heady Topper, Focal Banger, or any other famous adult beverage fresh from VT (we’ll see who the beer connoisseurs are in this group).

Thanks all,

Brian Dooley

June 8, 2021 at 7:01 pm #698956

PhilAddison
Participant

Maybe one of you can sweet talk one of the dealers into swapping robbing parts!

June 9, 2021 at 5:45 am #698959

Matt Hayes
Participant

Someone better jump on the beer offer! lol… my best friend liked alchemist brewing so much he got the art on those two beers tattooed on him!

June 9, 2021 at 8:11 am #698960

schodackbassman
Participant

Neither my dealer or his has an engine to rob from…. We thought of that too. Not that I think either would do it…. He told me this morning he found one, don’t know where yet.

June 9, 2021 at 8:14 am #698961

schodackbassman
Participant

I enjoyed the pictures you sent me! That’s dedication. VT has a bunch of really great beers in same realm for flavor etc. VT may not have much, but they got great beer! My camp is in VT on south Champlain so I have sources for many of them.

June 9, 2021 at 11:39 am #698967

schodackbassman
Participant

Looks like we are good. Seems there are two different part numbers. The original and the new one. Found original that came with motor. Merc says will pay for under warranty so we are good to go once it’s is installed. Getting new water pump and gear oil changed while its apart (107 hours). So, hopefully this weekend or early next week i can bring her home. Nothing is ever easy….

Really can’t wait to get it all registered and on the water.

June 9, 2021 at 12:28 pm #698969

PPBASS51
Participant

NY DMV is by appointment only-due to COVID -you might want to check with them to see how far ahead appointments are and get that arranged before you hit the road to pick it up!

June 9, 2021 at 4:44 pm #698974

schodackbassman
Participant

I’m in Rensselaer County run by republicans, we’re open over here. Just go to Troy, live in the county, and you can walk in. They’ve been open for months. County had to close DMV to just our county residents because Counties where Democrats rule, DMV offices wouldn’t and Cuomo wouldn’t open state DMV offices. Rensselaer County DMV got overwhelmed with Albany and other closed Counties residents so our county residents were stuck in long lines. So County Clerk made being a county resident a requirement to get services. County exec suggested those who couldn’t get into a DMV office call Cuomo. Even gave him Andy’s number. Wasn’t that nice?

June 9, 2021 at 6:03 pm #698975

Redngoo
Participant

Ive read it was a easy fix. Though i know parts are hard to get. Ive had some parts ordered for well over a month!. They keep getting delayed.

June 10, 2021 at 10:31 pm #698991

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Check Mercury Racing for the 300R parts and pay the up charge if there is one in stock.

June 15, 2021 at 12:39 pm #699119

schodackbassman
Participant

Good news, she’s fixed and I’m heading to Va tomorrow to pick her up. Question, boat has always been kept in the garage so first owner never used the security system so doesn’t know what to tell me. Can anyone clue me in? The 07 Classic didn’t have that feature. PM me if that is the more secure and recommended way to clue me in. Or email me

schodackbassman@gmail.com

Finally going to get this home at least. Then we leave on vacation so it will be July before I get this thing on Champlain…. So looking forward to a new adventure learning how to best utilize the Caracal.

June 18, 2021 at 5:14 pm #699180

schodackbassman
Participant

Long haul from Fredericksburg Va to upstate NY but we made it. You don’t appreciate what a great trailer BCB makes until you’ve towed one for about 9 hours. Those disc brakes on both axles are nice BTW. Haven’t had much time to play with it yet with all the travel plans so it will be bloody July before I get her on the water but so looking forward to it. Just back with it yesterday. Today was paper work registering boat/trailer and paying Chester the Molester Andy Cuomo a huge sum in state sales taxes. Transferring warranties for Merc and BCB too. Think I got everything. Ordered some Trick Steps, Power Poles down the road. So looking forward to finally getting this on the water. She is pretty and as usual, pictures do not do any Bass Cat’s justice. But at least she’s here to her new home.
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